Chapter 26: The Omusha

Why?

Why would Isa help her escape? What was he thinking? Was he under the influence of a rune?

Yes, of course. That had to be the answer. I hoped that was the answer.

Why else would he be helping one of the people responsible for the attacks on civilians? Mind control was the only thing that made sense to me. And if that were the case, I’d better keep my distance.

If both of us fell under an enemy’s control, it would be catastrophic.

The city gates, usually bustling with merchants and travelers, were eerily quiet. Where were the guards I assigned to keep watch? Did Isa dismiss them?

Their hoof prints were faint in the dust covered path leading to the foothills. They weren’t traveling fast at all. I didn’t even need my horse to keep up with them. Isa didn’t expect to be followed, I guess.

Pretty sloppy of him.

I spotted them in the distance and used the tall grass for cover. It wasn’t long before a few others joined them. I could barely make out them out, but they were three. Judging by their body language, this wasn’t a tense standoff.

Dare I try to get closer?

I really wanted to make out what they were saying. Maybe I’d recognize more than a couple of voices. Getting within earshot may not be a good course of action.

If Isa was under a spell or something, we’d have a fight on our hands. Maybe a fight to the death. I sure hoped it wouldn't come to that.

The wind seemed to be picking up a lot. Was it because of the approaching storm or Isa’s rune?

After a short conversation the prisoner rode off with the other group, leaving Isa to answer to me.

I unsheath my weapon, hoping I wouldn’t have to use it. “Isa!” The man didn’t flinch at my approach. He sat on his horse, eyeing the path those others took moments ago.

“Things have gotten out of hand, Idris,” he said, still eyeing that path. Was he expecting them to return?

“Tell me you’re under a spell.” That’s the only thing I’d believe right now.

“For the record, none of this was my idea. But I shouldn’t have gone along with it.”

“With what? The attacks?”

“Istan, it was his idea. He got together with the breakaway regions, made promises, funded the attacks; all to improve his bid for Emperor.” He turned to me with accusing eyes. “Then you complicated the matter.”

“Me? How???”

“By throwing your name into the hat! The Grand Vizier chose you over Istan, Idris. Now Istan’s arrangement with the breakaway regions is worthless and they are not happy.”

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I was speechless. Not because of the Grand Vizier’s decision, but because of Istan’s involvement. I never would have imagined him to have had a hand in all of the attacks. And he was willing to blame the Ahrman Empire for them? Have us go to war because of his crazy tactics?

Was the old fool senile?!

“What did he promise the breakaway regions, Isa?”

“That’s not important right now,” he dismissed. “They’re going to use the Earth rune to divide the land, literally.”

“But, that’s Badr’s rune. They can use it unless he’s...he..” I searched Isa’s eyes for an answer, for some good news! “He's not...” I was hesitant to finish my sentence. If Istan’s actions got Badr killed, the old man was in a world of trouble.

“I'm not sure,” he exhaled. “They say they’ve poisoned him. There’s no cure.”

“I don’t believe this! Isa, how could you let this happen?!”

“There’s no excuse for my involvement in this, but I’m not taking the blame for the current situation. Now, I can track them back to their hideout by listening to the wind, but time is running out.”

You’re right. Time was running out, for Badr and for Istan should Badr die because of his terrible schemes. Now I understood why he was Taimoor’s advisor for so long. How many of his war games were inspired by Istan?

Whatever. All of that ends once I clean up his mess. “Which direction would you say they’re headed?”

“Northwest and their direction hasn’t changed since we’ve been standing here.”

“There’s a deep valley in that direction. It’s a good place to stay out of sight.”

“I figured they may be headed there. That’s why I gave them a head start. We need to move out now, just in case they keep moving.”

“Lend me your horse,” I insisted, resheathing my weapon. Almost forgot I had it out.

“I’m not letting you tackle this by yourself, Idris. I've heard they can be rather ruthless.”

‘One of us needs to go back and get Tears. You can get to the capitol faster than I can.”

“Fine,” he said, dismounting. “I’ll see if I can mask your presence by stirring up the wind.”

“Hopefully,” I said, taking the horse’s reins.

“Idris,” Isa called, just as I was about to put this beast into overdrive. “They call themselves The Omusha, it’s three of them; Thi, Oji, and Yena. Yena's their self-proclaimed leader; she’s also a runebearer.”

Do I want to ask? “Which one?”

“Blades.”

“Great. Nice to know what I’m up against,” I said, urging the horse onward. The Rebirth of Blades, a rune that reproduces weapons at the runebearer’s command. I’ve always wanted to try that one. I probably don’t want to know how she got a hold of the Rebirth of Blades.

Their trail led to a hidden valley, sandwiched between towering cliffs. With a narrow entrance, it was often easily overlooked by those without a map. The winds began to pick up and I was sure it wasn’t Isa’s doing anymore; there was definitely electricity in the air.

Among other things.

I caught a glimpse of something closing in too fast for comfort. I reacted in an instant, avoided the projectile, while grabbing its handle. I landed on my feet with a lance in hand, but before I knew it the weapon vanished into nothingness.

That Rebirth of Blades was as impressive as it sounded.

No time to drool over it, though. Someone was in a mad hurry to cut me down. I instantly countered his weapon with my own and rammed my boots into his face. That oughta gave him something to think about.

Despite the darkness, I was confident I knew who my opponent was. A well timed cloud flash proved my hunch to be correct. “Thi or Oji?”

“Thi,” said another, strutting into view on horseback. “I’m Oji and if you value your life, General, you’ll turn back.”

“I value my friend’s life more than my own. Where’s Badr?”

“We promised him a painless death,” he said, sliding off his saddle. “But if you continue your pursuit, we’ll make sure he suffers greatly before he dies.”

Yeah, like murdering a General was a great way to gain independence. “If Badr dies I'll execute the three of you myself.”

"You've been warned, General," Oji smirked, conjuring spears from particles of air. "We'll add your rune to our arsenel as well."

Over my dead body. The breakaway regions had my sympathy before. I completely understood their reasoning. But, threatening the life of a General to gain independence was unacceptable.

That’s something they were about to learn the hard way.